February 2001

Members Rate NYSSCPA

Survey Polls Services, Benefits

By Bill Pape

The New York State Society of CPAs surveyed its more than 30,000 members in good standing during the last quarter of 2001 and received responses from nearly 14 percent of members polled—an excellent response rate as compared to industry norms.

The response rates by member category mirror the information the Society maintains on file via the organization’s management system. For example, 53 percent of Society members are in public practice and 51 percent of survey respondents categorized themselves in public accounting.

While 82.5 percent of Society members are male, 82.68 percent of survey respondents were male. Also, a clear majority of respondents do not consider themselves active in statewide committees or chapters, which agrees with the Society’s membership data.

“This survey tells us that our members are finding real value, in terms of professional opportunities and development, in their membership with the Society, ” said NYSSCPA President P. Gerard Sokolski. “Our challenge is to provide more opportunities to increase this value.”

Survey respondents said that, in general, they learn about Foundation for Accounting Education continuing professional education programs through the FAE catalog and FAE brochures and register for courses by mail, telephone, and fax. By a 2:1 margin, respondents sometimes or always use FAE for their CPE.